• Genuine low mileage, original car • Dry stored for 20+ years • Fully recommissioned in 2020 • Historic vehicle, tax and MOT exempt (but has MOT until May 2022)
THE BACKGROUND
When most people think about classic British sports cars, they think about MGs. They’re synonymous with the idea of weekend drives in the country and thatched roof pubs selling slightly warm beer.
The MGB GT was launched in 1965 as the coupe variant of the MBG roadster, which was launched in 1962. It quickly became the quintessential sports coupe for everyone. Classless, timeless and great to drive, the GT was welcomed and lauded everywhere.
Don’t allow the fact that these are still relatively common fool you – the MGB GT was, and remains, one of the most celebrated sports cars to come from these isles.
Due to the number that were manufactured over the MGB’s long life, there are still many examples on the road. However, having completed just 72,079 miles from new, there aren’t many in the kind of original, unmolested condition this car is presented in.
The current owner has had the car for about a year, but the previous owner had the car for more than 20 years, keeping it dry-stored for all of that time. The current keeper also keeps it dry-stored, so this vehicle has been very well cared for over the last two decades.
There is an extensive list of work provided by the previous owner from when they recommissioned the car in 2020.
This car comes with the V5, an MOT until May 2022 and a variety of receipts from work undertaken. The previous owner has also provided a list of works undertaken to recommission the car, which lines up with the receipts.
As with the rest of the vehicle, the interior is very original. All features of the interior are in good condition and working well. Naturally, as a 43 year old vehicle, there are the signs of normal wear and tear you would expect, but overall everything is in nice condition and very original – there have been no modifications or aftermarket additions made.
The seats are in fair condition, but would benefit from new foam and possibly a re-trim, but otherwise the cabin of this car is a solid and well cared-for example. Inside the cabin is a 2+2 design, with the rear featuring a right-angled bench suitable for children in booster seats, or for use as a luggage space.
A key feature of the MGB GT was the massively increased luggage area the glass house provides over the roadster. It makes it a truly practical vehicle. This car’s boot area is in excellent condition, with a full-size spare Rostyle wheel under the carpet.
One of the surprising, but welcome, things about this car is how original the exterior is. The MGB GT has always been a great shape – Pininfarina did a great job styling the coupe body. But these later 70s cars have often had their period rubber bumpers and Rostyle wheel removed and replaced with mk1 GT style chrome bumpers and wire wheels.
When the previous owner recommissioned the car in 2020, they decided to keep it as original as possible, a decision we heartily support. They restored the Rostyle wheels, installed new tyres and generally tidied the car up. As the car had been dry-stored, the bodywork is in very good condition and completely original.
As should be expected with a car of this age, there are some age-related marks and small areas that a new owner may wish to address, but we saw nothing that would cause us concern. The chrome is very nice, the striking orange paintwork looks good and will polish up nicely and the underside looks solid and clean, often an issue with MGB GTs that have been stored outside.
The vehicle also features a factory-fitted Webasto sliding sunroof, which is in excellent condition.
As soon as the car starts up, the classic burble of a carburrettor-fed, naturally aspirated four cylinder fills your ears. It idles well, sounds great and runs with no issues. The transmission is a manual 4-speed with overdrive and works well - a great specification to have as only 20% of GTs were spec Ed with the feature.
When the car was put back on the road in 2020, then then owner carried out an extensive amount of work to ensure the car was in perfect condition for regular use. The work that was carried out includes:
- New petrol tank, sender unit and fuel hoses - Carburettors serviced and balanced - New battery - Isolator switch fitted in the boot - New brake pads to the front and new shoes to the rear - New brake cylinders - New electronic ignition system, including replacement distributor, coil, HT leads and spark plugs - New head gasket - New radiator and electric cooling fan - New water pump and coolant hose set - New heater control valve - New alternator and belt - New exhaust seal - New clutch master cylinder and slave cylinders - New thermostat
As you can see, the work carried out was extensive and thorough, and means the car really is a genuinely practical classic that could be used regularly with confidence.
Not many cars from 70s Britain come with as much goodwill and affection as an MGB GT. They’re a practical and enjoyable way to get into classic motoring. They look great, they drive well, they’re quick enough to keep up with modern traffic and parts are readily and widely available.
This particular example is exceptionally original – quite rare for a late-70s model. Many MGBs of this vintage have long since rotted away, or are available as “projects” that will cost you an arm and a leg to get back on the road. No such worries here.
The car has already been fully recommissioned, has been dry-stored for 20+ years and the owner tells us it drives beautifully. On top of this, the striking, original orange paintwork really does complement the shape of the GT and is a great period feature.
Whether you would like a highly original, low mileage classic sports car to enjoy as-is, or a great vehicle to tinker with that has had all of the major work carried out, this car is perfect for you. As a practical classic that you could actually use as a daily, the MGB GT has always been difficult to beat, and this one’s an absolute cracker.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
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1978 MGB GT
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